Firstly, Compiz doesn't run on start-up even when on start-up list, just leaves an icon on tool bar you must click to activate it. Even when you do, Compiz effects don't immediately kick in but you must go into its window manager and -- even though it's "on button" is on you have to click it again to kick start it to go. When you do so, 1. you immediately lose all window control buttons. 2. all running apps if they were on different screens as via Window Switcher -- slam into one window and all Window Switcher app panels are wiped out. Also apps cannot be dragged around the screen. A reboot does not solve the problem, nor does compiz --replace.

Compiz is a good program and feature, but it cripples its usefulness by denying you button bars and messing with panel toolbar. If XFCE performed opacity for active windows you're working on I'd regrettably pass on Compiz. I'd be happy to help beta-test Compiz for a solution if I knew where!

Even when you do, Compiz effects don't immediately kick in but you must go into its window manager and -- even though it's "on button" is on you have to click it again to kick start it to go. When you do so, 1. you immediately lose all window control buttons.

You have to set "Window Decoration", in Compiz Settings Manager to have control buttons. Also MOVE Windows, et, et.

First off, THANK YOU for responding and amicably offering solutions! I was totally taken back by the chilled non-helpful reception some major Ubuntu sites gave me when, after Googling there, I just mentioned that my Mint Maya Compiz problem was exactly the same that Ubuntu 12 users had. Like, I thought we were all family and a little cross-pollination of ideas to solutions couldn't help! I'm glad I made the wise choice sticking with Mint!

Strange thing! As per the tutorial, I did the “mateconf-editor” thing and wrote compiz in place of marco in the "compizconfig-settings-manager" (even though I wish to correct this problem within XFCE mode first since I'm running Maya off a 8gig flash drive), but even then, though I set "Window Decoration" in Compiz Settings Manager I can't find a specific "Buttons" feature to switch on, and so though I set Move Windows and about switched on everything in Window Management, on re-boot I'm still missing buttons and the panel tool bar "Workplace Switcher" is still affected and inoperative. Is there a buttons configuration setting hidden in the Windows Management settings I'm missing?

I found gconf-editor not useful, use ubuntu tweak instead. The theme area is in the theme button in the tweaks tab. Also clean the system using the janitor tab in ubuntu tweak in case a cache is corrupted.

I'm semi-happy to say that I've finally wrangled at least a crude basic button toolbar by first shutting down all Compiz features except Window Decoration, Opacify, Opacify Brightness, OpenGL, and Composite. I previously had all almost all settings on, with Session Management causing the most trouble it seems. Wish there was a way to lock in or save this config as a default option now! At least now I'll go and steady opening up other Compiz features.

Odd thing 1: In both XFCE and MATE modes, using four workspace panel switches in Workplace Switcher, panel #1 opens a regular desktop with icons, but #2 onwards opens a screen with no desktop icons although wallpaper is unaffected. Nice for a option but very inconvenient otherwise, but so far harmless. You also can't summon any desktop menu on the same blanked screens with a desktop mouse click. I assume unless you use WS that won't notice this effect.Odd thing too; While it's nice having some semblance of windows buttons back with this crude set, I'll miss the all custom buttons and frames and icons you can create with Desktop Settings (on normal screen of WS switch#1) unless I missed a way.

Rather than experimenting with settings, try my ccsm profile, which is at the end of this post. Then go to ccsm and select preferences (on the left). Select export, and export your ccsm profile, in case you want to go back to it. Then import the profile I have provided below and see if it solves the compiz issues you are having. As an example I can see icons on all work spaces, so I think my profile may have the answers you are looking for.

Basically, put the following into a file - 'compizsettings.profile' (copy from '[workarounds]' to 's0_fill_color = #fb8b004f' and paste into the file). This is my profile.

AJ1000 wrote:Rather than experimenting with settings, try my ccsm profile, which is at the end of this post. Then go to ccsm and select preferences (on the left). Select export, and export your ccsm profile, in case you want to go back to it. Then import the profile I have provided below and see if it solves the compiz issues you are having. As an example I can see icons on all work spaces, so I think my profile may have the answers you are looking for.

Your solution did the job! In combo with logging into XFCE as a fresh user each time time I've avoided this issue. I don't know how or what errors it flushed out, but at least I'm operational again! I suspect that it might be a Compiz bug similar to the XFCE one where XFCE leaves out your whole button toolbar unless you log into XFCE as a fresh session. (I'm still trying to activate having MATE sessions on log on!)